Penguin Random House India has issued a clear and detailed statement amid a heated controversy over the memoir of former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane titled Four Stars of Destiny. The publisher used its social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) to affirm that the book has not been published, printed, sold or distributed in any format and that any copies currently in circulation are unauthorised and infringe its copyright.

The clarification comes as the matter became a subject of political debate and law enforcement action, with the Delhi Police filing a First Information Report over the alleged circulation of a pre-print copy of the memoir online. Authorities are investigating claims that a digital version in PDF format has been shared on social media and certain websites despite the book not having received necessary approvals for publication.

Publisher Denies Any Official Publication

In its statement, Penguin Random House India emphasised that it holds the exclusive rights to publish the memoirauthored by General Naravane but reiterated that the book has not gone into publication in any form, either in print or digital format. The publisher stated that no copies have been sold or disseminated to the public, and described any circulating versions as illegal and unauthorised.

Penguin stated that any copy, excerpt, PDF or scanned version being shared or displayed online “constitutes copyright infringement” and must be stopped immediately. The publishing house also said it will pursue legal remedies available under law against those involved in the alleged distribution of the unauthorised material.

FIR And Political Controversy

The clarification was issued shortly after the Delhi Police registered an FIR regarding the unauthorised circulation of the unpublished memoir, which is yet to receive mandatory clearance from the Ministry of Defence before legal publication. The police action follows widespread discussion and claims on social media that a “pre-print” copy of the book was available online, prompting an investigation by the Special Cell into how such a version appeared publicly.

The row took on a political dimension in Parliament earlier this month when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi displayed what he described as a physical “copy” of the unpublished memoir outside the Lok Sabha, citing excerpts to question the government on defence matters, notably the 2020 India-China border standoff. The incident led to disruptions in the House and intensified scrutiny of the book’s status.

Uncertain Future For Four Stars Of Destiny

Four Stars of Destiny has become one of the most talked-about unpublished works in recent memory, drawing attention not only from readers but also from political quarters and law enforcement. Industry observers note that books by former military leaders typically require thorough reviews and clearances to ensure sensitive material is not released prematurely, a process that has reportedly delayed the official publication of Naravane’s memoir for over a year.

At the moment, Penguin Random House India’s statement aims to dispel confusion over the book’s availability and reaffirm that no authorised version has been made available to the public. As investigations continue and debates unfold, the publishing house’s position makes clear that any uncertified copy circulating online is not legitimate and may face legal action.

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